FBI Investigates NYT Reporter Over 'Stalking' Claim Linked to Patel's SWAT Team Security for Girlfriend

The New York Times reported in February that FBI Director Kash Patel had assigned rotating SWAT teams to guard his girlfriend, country music singer Alexis Wilkins, as she traveled across the country. The use of FBI resources was widely criticized as highly unusual and ethically questionable.

"If you want to be a celebrity or a social media star, get your own security. The inappropriateness of this cannot be overstated."

Wilkins reportedly viewed the coverage as evidence of "stalking," a federal felony punishable by up to five years in prison. According to a person briefed on the matter, the claim prompted an FBI investigation into New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson, who authored the story.

If accurate, this investigation would mark an extraordinary attempt to criminalize standard journalistic practices. The probe aligns with Patel’s past rhetoric, including his description of "the mainstream media" as "the most powerful enemy that the United States has ever seen." It also echoes his threat to "come after the people in the media" who "helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections."

However, such an investigation would directly contradict the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of the press.

FBI’s Alleged Investigation Steps

According to an anonymous source cited by the Times, FBI agents:

• Interviewed Wilkins;
• Queried databases for information about Williamson;
• Recommended moving forward to determine whether she had violated federal stalking laws.

The inquiry reportedly sparked concerns among some Justice Department officials, who viewed it as retaliation for an article that Patel and Wilkins "did not like." These officials concluded there was "no legal basis to proceed with the investigation."

Why the Alleged Investigation Had No Legal Basis

Federal law defines stalking as placing someone "under surveillance" with "intent to kill, injure, harass, or intimidate" that person. The Times noted that Williamson’s reporting activities did not meet these criteria:

• She followed standard journalistic procedures, including reaching out to Patel and Wilkins for comment;
• She contacted numerous people who had worked with or knew Wilkins;
• She had one off-the-record phone conversation with Wilkins;
• She exchanged emails with Wilkins before publication;
• She requested a list of people Wilkins might speak to for the article (Wilkins did not respond).

None of these actions remotely resembled the crime of stalking, which should have been evident to the FBI agents involved.

FBI Denies the Investigation

An FBI spokesman disputed the Times’ account, calling it "false" that the bureau had investigated Williamson. However, he did not deny that agents had taken the allegation seriously enough to recommend further inquiry.